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Letterman; Na. 75,702, med March 17, 1868.

IMPROVED sHoB-LAC'E.

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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, LEWIS RICE, of Stoekbridge, in the county of Ingham,in the State of Michigan, have invented an Improvement in Boot andShoe-Lacings; and I do declare that the following is an accuratedescription thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,and letter-s of reference marked thereon, being a part of thisspeeification.

The nature of my invention consists in using a lacing of leather, or anyttfoven material. In making this lacing, I take a piece of leatherof theproper kind, cut into the shape shown in Figure 1; then I cut thelacings a a a a, &c.,1eaving atb b a suifioient width of leather to holdthe lacings firmly together. To'the ends of the lacings a iz a a, &c.,I'attach small hooks, or other appurtenance convenient to attach thelacings to the shoe. At the point c, I fasten a hook, olasp, or otherdevice tofasten the lacings, when drawn up to the side of the shoe atcl. In making these lacings of any woven material, the weft should besufficiently strong at b b to prevent the lacingsifrom tearing out, andthen weave each lacing by itself, separately.

VFignre 1 shows the form of the leather, or other material, with thelaoings, before attaching to the Shoe. Figure 2 shows the lacingattached to the shoe. i `The same letters are used to designate similarparts in each figure. l What I claim 'as-my invention, -and desire toSecure byrLetters Patent, is- V As an article of manufacture, theshoe-lacing device, as described, and for the purposes set forth. LEWISRICE.

Witnesses:

v D. W. BRooKs, B. P. WaLLs.

